Health · Healthcare & Policy · 2 hrs ago
Brazil’s universal health system must reach girls and adolescents, columnist argues
Brazil’s SUS is meant to provide health care as a universal right, regardless of a person’s income or background.
The issue was raised in this year’s ENEM exam, which asked students to write about valuing the SUS as a universal right.
A columnist argues that formal access is not enough when transport costs, work demands or fear of judgment keep people from care.
She says girls and adolescents need information and respectful support on sexual and reproductive health, including access to contraception and help in cases of violence.
Brazil’s Health Ministry recognizes adolescents as rights-holders and provides for comprehensive care that respects their individuality.
The columnist says care must include abortion services in situations allowed by law, and that personal religious beliefs should not decide whose rights are respected.
She also calls for health, schools and social services to work together, and says adolescent mothers should receive support for their health and education.
A Folha columnist argues that Brazil’s universal health system must provide meaningful access to girls and adolescents.
The article says access requires more than formally available services, including adequate funding, valued health workers and action on barriers such as transport costs and fear of humiliation.
It calls for adolescents to receive information, contraception and respectful care without fear of judgment.
The columnist says girls who experience violence need coordinated protection from health services, schools and social assistance.
The article also argues that adolescent mothers retain the right to health care and to continue their education.
- Who
- A Folha columnist, writing about girls and adolescents in Brazil.
- What
- The columnist argues that Brazil’s public health system must reach girls and adolescents with accessible, respectful care.
- When
- The article was published on 12 November 2026.
- Where
- Brazil.
- Why
- The columnist says universal health care must work in practice and address barriers and inequalities that keep girls from care.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The columnist wrote an earlier piece about discussing adolescent pregnancy during an election year.
Students across Brazil were asked in the Enem to write about valuing the SUS as a universal right.
Folha published the column arguing that the SUS must reach girls and adolescents.
- Constitution
- Brazil’s 1988 Constitution established health as a right for all and a duty of the state.
- Enem topic
- Valuing the SUS as a universal right.
- Earlier column
- Published in June; discussed adolescent pregnancy.
- Services discussed
- Sexual and reproductive health care, including abortion care in situations provided for by law.
What people are saying
A unidade de saúde pode estar formalmente disponível e permanecer distante de quem não tem dinheiro para o transporte, não consegue se ausentar do trabalho ou teme ser humilhado ao apresentar uma necessidade.
A existência de um bebê não elimina os direitos da menina que o teve.